I have waded lighthouse cove all over the of Matagorda Island and Matagorda Peninsula. I've never seen an alligator, but they are obviously there. I fished more in big pocket which is next to Lighthouse cove. There is an island along the south shoreline of big pocket that I used to walk all the way around. I was always on full alert when I got behind it. I have spent a lot of time going wade fishing by myself, but there are so many things that can happen it really isn't a very smart thing to do.